This Page's Content Was Last Updated: April 24, 2024
WOWA Simply Know Your Options
Sales Taxes in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is one of the provinces in Canada that charges a separate Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). In Saskatchewan, the PST is set at 6% and the GST is 5%. Most goods and services are charged with both taxes.
Unlike other provinces, there are almost no exemptions to Saskatchewan’s PST. In Saskatchewan, non-residents can purchase vehicles without paying PST. Registered First Nations are exempt from the PST for goods and services purchased on First Nations lands. See Saskatchewan Tax Programs for First Nations Citizens for more details.
Saskatchewan New Home Rebate
In 2020, Saskatchewan rolled out a new rebate for New Homes. Up to 42% of the PST paid for new homes closed from April 1st, 2020 to March 31st, 2023 can be rebated.
There are a number of conditions for the New Home Rebate:
The new home must be valued less than $450,000. The maximum rebate is $8,820 for a $350,000 home and decreases linearly to $0 by $450,000.
The rebate applies only to the PST charged on the price of the home. The value of the land (if applicable) and any renovations are not considered. This means that they do not apply to the home value limitation of $450,000 but will still be charged the full PST. Appliances are included in the total value of the home.
The home must become your primary place of residence.
Saskatchewan Rebates and Exemptions to the GST
There are two types of exemptions for GST: direct exemptions and zero-rated goods and services. The difference is related to how businesses handle costs related to the exemptions, but as a consumer, you would not have to pay GST on items from either category.
Goods and services that are zero-rated from GST include:
Basic groceries, including meats, fish, cereals, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, coffee, tea. Some foods including snack foods, liquor, and carbonated beverages are charged HST.
Prescription drugs, but not any drugs available over-the-counter (OTC).
Medical devices
Feminine hygiene products
Goods and services that are directly exempt from GST include:
Residential resales of property that has been previously owned and used
Rental accommodations of longer than a month
Educational services that lead to a certificate or diploma or are required for a certain practice
Medical and dental services
Financial services such as bank fees
Legal aid services
Day-care services
Saskatchewan Revenues from Sales Taxes
Sales taxes make up a significant portion of Saskatchewan’s budget. Revenues from sales taxes such as the PST are expected to total $2.720 billion, or 28.2% of all of Saskatchewan’s taxation revenue, during the 2023 fiscal year. This is slightly greater than revenue from Saskatchewan’s corporate income tax and property tax combined.
Federal Revenues from Sales Taxes
The federal portion of the sales taxes contributes to the Canadian government’s budget. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is estimated to have brought about $54.4 billion in tax revenue during the 2023 fiscal year. This accounts for 11.9% of the total revenue at the federal level.
Disclaimer:
Any analysis or commentary reflects the opinions of WOWA.ca analysts and should not be considered financial advice. Please consult a licensed professional before making any decisions.
The calculators and content on this page are for general information only. WOWA does not guarantee the accuracy and is not responsible for any consequences of using the calculator.
Financial institutions and brokerages may compensate us for connecting customers to them through payments for advertisements, clicks, and leads.
Interest rates are sourced from financial institutions' websites or provided to us directly. Real estate data is sourced from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and regional boards' websites and documents.